Bernie Ibini was Sydney FC’s hero in Saturday’s A-League derby draw with Western Sydney, while Wanderers midfielder Iacopo La Rocca was again the villain, with the Sky Blues’ Ali Abbas carried up the tunnel with major knee injuries.
Ibini was in disbelief that the Italian’s challenge that left midfielder Abbas with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) didn’t get a caution at the very least.
It was not the first time La Rocca had left a Sydney FC player laying on the pitch. In season eight, he missed the Wanderers inaugural finals campaign after Terry Antonis was bloodied on the pitch by a La Rocca elbow.
Ibini was shocked at the lack of a card from referee Peter Green.
“I can’t believe he didn’t get anything at all.
“I think definitely (he deserved a card) for a tackle like that.
“He wasn’t going for the ball or anything, for the player to go off injured … and now it’s worse (Abbas’s injury) than what it seemed to be … it’s very sad.”
Ibini who was very concerned for Abbas was quick to point out La Rocca had a bit of form.
“I don’t think he (Abbas) is doing too well,” Ibini said.
“From what has been said, it sounds very serious. It’s very disappointing we’ve had the injury with Corey (Gameiro) and now we have lost Ali after getting injured during a game to a tackle from an opposition player.
“I think he elbowed Terry in the past as well and Terry was bleeding … this was a reckless challenge.”
While the injury to Abbas dampened the mood for Ibini after his screamer of a goal, the attacker labelled the effort as close to his best in the A-League, the 22-year-old’s tally going past 20.
“I think it would have to be up there because I carried the ball from up near halfway, beat two defenders and put it in the back of the net,” he said.
“I was very happy with the goal. In terms of the game, we were under the pump a bit and, 1-0 down, to get us back to 1-1 was very important.”
Ibini was played in thanks to an opportunistic ball from Pedj Bojic, the old Central Coast combination coming to the fore.
It was Bojic’s best performance for a long time after making his way back from several injuries and Ibini was full of praise and ready to continue to link up in the future.
“He’s put in a great ball for me. He saw the space and put it there. We have a great combination, we know how each other’s plays and it’s always good to have him on the right side.
“I think he is going to get better. He has been out for a long time, so to see him back at his best is very exciting because I know how well we can play together.”
Gareth
Guest
Likewise, it's always good to hear the perspective from the other side of town!
ciudadmarron
Guest
As I said, I view it as more representative of the way Arnold has the squad going. You've watched Gameiro for a season or more so know his character over all better than I, but yes, I will hold it against him :lol: I might forgive him for the celebration (I might add I've never been a huge fan of the old "shush" one myself) being where he was - although he could have gone to teammates or the side - but afterwards as well, giving the rbb all that... my belief is focus should be on your team and your fans. Loving the conversations btw Gareth, thanks mate!
AZ_RBB
Guest
Where was all this banter during Derby week? haha I know Derby week was a difficult week for the sporting community but there was remarkably little friction between the supporter groups. Shame the next one is so far away.
Gareth
Guest
Well, he has only scored two goals. The first one he runs immediately to the cove to celebrate... The second was right in front if the away supporters... In a derby... Celebrates just like Juric did in china. You'll hold that against the guy? I understand your point in general, I just don't think it applies to Gameiro.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Exceptional skill - well, firstly he was put in a difficult position by his keeper. So sure, he's got to think quick. But what did he do? He didn't check to see if he had the space to go forward. He had Bridge ahead of him and La Rocca anticipating a turn forward coming in to try and prevent it as well. A more skilful player might have avoided it all together.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Scores. Does he celebrate? Run to his teammates? Run to his supporters? No - he gives it to the away fans. Wins. Does he celebrate? Run to his teammates? Run to his supporters? No - he gives it to the away fans. It's a small thing in the scheme of things but it is fully representative of the culture Arnold is developing, when coupled with his incessant complaining and the actions of his captain and certain other players (Ryall for instance). I note Arnold has also complained about Abbas missing time with his national side. Er, Arnie, you were complaining about losing players to international sides a week or two ago. Try to keep track mate.
Gareth
Guest
What have you got against Gameiro? Just curious?
Domitian
Guest
"two players going for the ball"....well, not really. One player using exceptional skill to control the ball and shield it and another player who had no hope of getting the ball just running in to apply some physical contact. You can't really deal with it in retrospect because he didn't really intend to hurt him, just to foul him and rile him up a bit, just as he had moments earlier. The question is, should skilful players be afforded a bit of protection from such negative tactics that, as we have seen, can have serious consequences.
langou
Roar Guru
I just had a look at the tackle. I hadn't seen it before. To my eyes to looks totally innocuous. Two players going for the ball. In fact it looked like the Wanderers player was trying to avoid contact if anything
AZ_RBB
Guest
If it was that serious the MRP would have looked at it. It was a regular tough tackle which the referee probably should have dealt with more harshly at the time but didn't. These conspiracies cooked up by Arnold are hilarious.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Yep that's it, I saw it too... Second heavy tackle in the space of 5 minutes by La Rocca on Abbas---as Arnold states.
AZ_RBB
Guest
This is the "high five" Arnold is referring to - https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1964871_10152908554278588_5215308165939638805_n.jpg?oh=2ce6a932b7019ce1e975acf6a0954473&oe=55179F46 He can't be serious. I get it if he's trying to pump up his players for the next match. He is making himself look very silly in the process but if that's how he gets 3points then he'll be getting the last laugh.
ciudadmarron
Guest
You thought he would be above this?? You've more faith than I AZ. This is exactly his style. 'They're all against us" might be good for uniting a dressing room... but it creates a warped mentality as well which we're already seeing at SFC through the likes of Gameiro, Og. And on that note, let me get this straight - players high fiving each other (which players the world over do when there's a break in play), that's terrible, but Og's display at the last derby, that's okay? I'd say get a grip Arnold but like I said this is just par for the course. No comment on La Rocca contacting Abbas and apologising publicly... And as I've said before, you don't hear WSW complaining in this manner every single week. We've had Golgol out for over a year because of a poor tackle from SFC... no whinging, just get on with it.
AZ_RBB
Guest
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/sydney-fc-coach-arnolds-anger-over-western-sydney-high-five/story-fn63e0vj-1227141830806 I understand he is upset. A 15 month injury is really heartbreaking for the player and his team. I thought he would be above fanning the flames like this. Leave that to the fans.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Hearing that Graham Arnold has gone on a tirade this morning at a media conference regarding the Ali Abbas injury from the La Rocca tackle. Won't say anything more until I see the conference and quotes.
Gareth
Guest
As a SFC fan I agree that Abbas goes too far. But on the race card incident, evidence was inconclusive for both sides of the story, we don't know who was telling the truth and who wasn't, or whether something was misheard or not. If Abbas was abused by Santalab then Santalab deserves every piece of bad press that he got and more. Though we'll never know, so I'll remain 'agnostic' about this one.
Gareth
Guest
It's interesting how you can twist the events around to suit your own opinion isn't it. Also, if there was nothing wrong with the tackle there would have been no free kick awarded. There was obviously something wrong with the tackle... I don't think it was a particular bad foul though. Reckless from La Rocca but not something that doesn't happen every game, shame it had such a poor outcome though.
Aethelbert
Guest
You're dreaming if you think there was a tidal wave if bad comments directed at Ognenovsky. "We good they bad" is all I hear from you.
Danno
Guest
Not sure why Ibini thinks it's ok to throw around accusations like that. It's very unprofessional. La Rocca and Abbas are both very similar in their levels of physicality too. This was just unlucky.
Ginger71
Guest
100% wasn't going for the ball and should have been a yellow. Too many one eyed supporters not actually looking at the actual tackle, if you can call it that. la Rocca's eyes were on Abbas the whole time, not once did he look at the ball.